Adapters for beverage container thermal insulators or drink holders

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of adapters for beverage container thermal insulators or drink holders. In exemplary embodiments, the adapters may be used for adapting beverage container thermal insulators or drink holders that are pre-sized for standard sized 12-ounce cans for use with bottles (e.g., standard sized 12-ounce longneck bottles, etc.) and other can sizes (e.g., “16-ounce tallboy” cans, “12-ounce slim” cans, etc.). In exemplary embodiments, the adapter may be made (e.g., injection molded, etc.) from one or more thermally-insulative materials for covering and thermally insulating the upper portion of a bottle or can that would otherwise extend outwardly above the beverage container thermal insulator or drink holder. By thermally insulating the portion that would otherwise be exposed, the adapter can significantly reduce the rate at which the beverage within the bottle or can will warm up, e.g., when placed in the sun, etc.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/413,234 filed Oct. 26, 2016. The entire disclosure ofthe above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to adapters for beveragecontainer thermal insulators or drink holders.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Beverage container thermal insulators (e.g., koozies, coolers, huggers,huggies, etc.) are commonly used to thermally insulate a chilledbeverage (e.g., a standard 12-ounce can of cold beer, etc.) from warmingby conduction and heat radiation, e.g., sunlight, a drinker's hand, warmair, a warm surface (e.g., picnic tabletop, pool deck, etc.), etc.

A traditional beverage container thermal insulator is a koozie. A kooziegenerally includes a round hollow foam cylinder with an open top end forreceiving a beer can therein and a foam base at the opposite bottom endto prevent the beer can from sliding out of the koozie. The foam basemay have a small hole to ease inserting and removing a beer caninto/from the koozie.

Using a foam koozie can significantly reduce the rate at which a can ofcold beer warms up in the sun. A koozie may prevent the drinker's handfrom getting wet from condensation along the outside of the can.Further, Koozies may also be helpful in allowing people to more readilydistinguish their beverages from other persons' beverages.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1 through 11 show a bottle adapter for use with a YETI® Colster®stainless steel drink holder according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 12 through 20 show a “16-ounce tallboy” can adapter for use with aYETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIGS. 21 through 31 show a “12-ounce slim” can adapter for use with aYETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 32 shows the bottle adapter (FIGS. 1 through 11), the “16-ouncetallboy” can adapter (FIGS. 12 through 20), and the “12-ounce slim” canadapter (FIGS. 21 through 31), which may be provided together as a kit,an assembly, in a single package, etc. according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 33 shows a comparison of how much more of the bottle exterior, the16-ounce tallboy” can exterior, and the “12-ounce slim” can exterior areexposed to the atmosphere and protrude outwardly beyond the YETI®Colster® stainless steel drink holder as compared to a standard 12-ouncecan.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of adapters (e.g., 100, 200,300, etc.) that may be used for adapting beverage container thermalinsulators or drink holders that are pre-sized for standard sized12-ounce cans for use with bottles (e.g., standard sized 12-ouncelongneck bottles, etc.) and other can sizes (e.g., “16-ounce tallboy”cans, “12-ounce slim” cans, etc.). In exemplary embodiments, theadapters may be made of one or more thermally-insulative materials forcovering and thermally insulating the upper portions of bottles or cansthat would otherwise extend outwardly above the beverage containerthermal insulators or drink holders. By thermally insulating the portionthat would otherwise be exposed, an adapter disclosed herein cansignificantly reduce the rate at which the beverage within the bottle orcan will warm up, e.g., when placed in the sun, etc. Advantageously, theadapters may be added to or retrofit onto (e.g., via a push on pressfit, etc.) the beverage containers and the thermal insulators or drinkholders without requiring any modifications to the beverage containerthermal insulators or drink holders.

In exemplary embodiments, the adapter may be initially positioned orslid overtop of an upper exposed portion of a bottle or can that isprotruding outwardly from the beverage container thermal insulator ordrink holder. The adapter may then be pushed and forced downwardly onto(e.g., press fit over, etc.) the upper portion of the bottle or can. Inthis position, the adapter may be held in place via friction from apress fit, friction fit, or interference fit created between the adapterand the upper portion of the bottle or can and/or between the adapterand a portion of the beverage container thermal insulator or drinkholder.

The adapter may include an inner ridge, shoulder, step, or stepped downportion that extends circumferentially along an inner surface of theadapter. The step may be operable as a stop to inhibit continueddownward movement of the adapter when the step contacts a top portion ofthe beverage container thermal insulator or drink holder. The adaptermay include a single sidewall that integrally defines or has a first orlower sidewall portion and a second or upper sidewall portion. Theadapter may have a stepped circular cross-sectional profile thatincludes or is defined by the first and second sidewall portions. Morespecifically, the second sidewall portion may have a circularcross-sectional profile with an inner diameter less than an innerdiameter of a circular cross-sectional profile of the first sidewallportion. The step may thus be defined generally between or at theintersection of the first and second sidewall portions. The step mayhave a width defined by one-half of the difference between the differentinner diameters of the first and second sidewall portions.

The first sidewall portion with the larger diameter may configured tofit snugly over an upper portion of the beverage container thermalinsulator or drink holder. The second sidewall portion with the smallerdiameter may be configured to fit snugly over an upper portion of thebottle or can. This may help hold the bottle or can stationary withinthe beverage container thermal insulator or drink holder, which, inturn, may reduce or prevent the bottle or can from rattling or movingwithin the beverage container thermal insulator or drink holder. Theadapter includes first and second (or bottom and top) larger and smalleropenings at the respective opposite first and second ends (or bottom andtop) of the adapter.

In exemplary embodiments, the adapter may be made of one or morethermally-insulative materials such that the adapter has a thermalconductivity less than air. Example thermally-insulative materialsinclude silicones, FDA approved plastics, ethylene propylene dienemonomer (M-class) rubbers (EPDM rubber), neoprene or polychloroprenerubbers, blends of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and EPDM,thermoplastic rubbers (TPR), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE),thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) (e.g., Santoprene™ TPV, etc.),ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), injection moldable materials, 3D printingmaterials, additive manufacturing materials, other materials having athermal conductivity less than air, etc.

In exemplary embodiments, the adapter may be made (e.g., injectionmolded, etc.) from an FDA-approved plastic or other thermally-insulativematerial such that the adapter has a monolithic or one-piececonstruction (e.g., single sidewall integrally defining upper and lowersidewall portions with a stop therebetween, etc.). In exemplaryembodiments, the adapter may be made by 3D printing or additivemanufacturing from an FDA-approved plastic, white silicone, or otherthermally-insulative material such that the adapter has a monolithic orone-piece construction. In alternative embodiments, the adapter may bemay be made via other processes and/or from other materials.

With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 11 show a bottleadapter 100 for use with a YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder104 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a standard sized12-ounce longneck bottle of beer 108 positioned within the YETI®Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104 before the Load-and-Lock®gasket 112 and the bottle adapter 100 have been added.

FIG. 3 shows the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112 positioned overtop and on thebottle 108 before the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112 has been threaded ontothe threaded portion 116 along the top of the YETI® Colster® stainlesssteel drink holder 104. In FIG. 4, the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112 hasbeen threaded onto and locked into place on top of the YETI® Colster®stainless steel drink holder 104.

FIG. 5 shows the adapter 100 positioned or slid overtop and on thebottle 108. In this position, the adapter 100 is loosely fit overtop theupper portion (e.g., bottle neck, etc.) of the bottle 108. FIG. 6 showsthe adapter 100 after it has been pushed downwardly onto (e.g., pressfit over, etc.) the upper portion of the bottle 108 and the YETI®Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104. In this position, the adapter100 may be held in place via friction from a press fit, friction fit, orinterference fit created between the adapter 100 and the upper portionof the bottle 108 and/or between the adapter 100 and the Load-and-Lock®gasket 112. Advantageously, the adapter 100 may be added to or retrofitonto (e.g., via a push on press fit, etc.) the YETI® Colster® stainlesssteel drink holder 104 and other drink holders without requiring anymodifications to the pre-existing drink holder. In addition, the adapter100 may help prevent the glass bottle 108 from breaking when dropped.The adapter 100 may also help hold the glass bottle 108 stationarywithin the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104, which, inturn, may reduce or prevent the glass bottle 108 from rattling or movingwithin the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the adapter 100 includes an inner ridge,shoulder, step, or stepped down portion 124 that extendscircumferentially along an inner surface of the adapter 100. The adapter100 includes a single sidewall that integrally defines or has a first orlower sidewall portion 128 and a second or upper sidewall portion 132.The adapter 100 may have a stepped circular cross-sectional profile thatincludes or is defined by the first and second sidewall portions 128,132. More specifically, the second sidewall portion 132 has a circularcross-sectional profile with an inner diameter (e.g., about 70millimeters (mm) as shown in FIG. 11, etc.) less than an inner diameter(e.g., about 76.2 mm, etc.) of a circular cross-sectional profile of thefirst sidewall portion 128. The step 124 may thus be defined generallybetween or at the intersection of the first and second sidewall portions128, 132. The step 124 has a width (e.g., about 3.1 mm, etc.) defined byone-half of the difference between the different inner diameters of thefirst and second sidewall portions 128 and 132.

The first sidewall portion 128 with the larger diameter is configured tofit snugly over the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112. The second sidewallportion 132 with the smaller diameter is configured to fit snugly overthe neck and upper portion of the bottle 108. The step 124 is operableas a stop to inhibit continued downward movement of the adapter 100 whenthe step 124 contacts the top of the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112. Theadapter 100 includes first and second (or bottom and top) larger andsmaller openings 140, 144 at the respective opposite first and secondends (or bottom or top) of the adapter 100. By way of example only, thefirst and second openings 140, 144 may respectively have diameters ofabout 28 mm and about 76.2 mm as shown in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are respective bottom, top, and side views of theadapter 100. FIG. 11 is cross-sectional side view of the adapter 100shown in FIG. 10. The dimensions in inches are provided in FIG. 11 forpurpose of illustration only as final product dimensions may vary due toproduction materials and/or the manufacturing process used.

FIGS. 12 through 20 show a “16-ounce tallboy” can adapter 200 for usewith a YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104 according to ananother exemplary embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a “16-ounce tallboy” can ofbeer 208 positioned within the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drinkholder 104 before the can adapter 200 has been added.

FIG. 14 shows the adapter 200 positioned overtop and on the can 208. Inthis position, the adapter 200 is loosely fit overtop the upper portionof the can 208. FIG. 15 shows the adapter 200 after it has been pusheddownwardly onto (e.g., press fit over, etc.) the upper portion of thecan 208 and the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104. In thisposition, the adapter 200 may be held in place via friction from a pressfit, friction fit, or interference fit created between the adapter 200and the upper portion of the can 208 and/or between the adapter 200 andthe upper portion of the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder104. Advantageously, the adapter 200 may be added to or retrofit onto(e.g., via a push on press fit, etc.) the YETI® Colster® stainless steeldrink holder 104 and other drink holders without requiring anymodifications to the pre-existing drink holder.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the adapter 200 includes an inner ridge,shoulder, step, or stepped down portion 224 that extendscircumferentially along an inner surface of the adapter 200. The adapter200 includes a single sidewall that integrally defines or has a first orlower sidewall portion 228 and a second or upper sidewall portion 232.The adapter 200 may have a stepped circular cross-sectional profile thatincludes or is defined by the first and second sidewall portions 228,232. More specifically, the second sidewall portion 232 has a circularcross-sectional profile with an inner diameter (e.g., about 2.86 inchesas shown in FIG. 20, etc.) less than an inner diameter (e.g., about 3.10inches, etc.) of a circular cross-sectional profile of the firstsidewall portion 228. The step 224 may thus be defined generally betweenor at the intersection of the first and second sidewall portions 228,232. The step 224 has a width (e.g., about 0.12 inches, etc.) defined byone-half of the difference between the different inner diameters of thefirst and second sidewall portions 228 and 232.

The first sidewall portion 228 with the larger diameter is configured tofit snugly over an upper portion of the YETI® Colster® stainless steeldrink holder 104. In this example, the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112 is notpresent such that the first sidewall portion 228 is press fit over theexposed threaded portion 116 from which the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112has been removed and a portion of the sidewall 118 immediately below thethreaded portion 116.

The second sidewall portion 232 of the adapter 200 with the smallerdiameter is configured to fit snugly over the upper portion of the can208. This may help hold the can 208 stationary within the YETI® Colster®stainless steel drink holder 104, which, in turn, may reduce or preventthe can 208 from rattling or moving within the YETI® Colster® stainlesssteel drink holder 104.

The step 224 is operable as a stop to inhibit continued downwardmovement of the adapter 200 when the step 224 contacts a shoulder orstep 120 (FIG. 13) of the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder104 that is between the threaded portion 116 and sidewall 118. Theadapter 100 includes first and second (or bottom and top) larger andsmaller openings 240, 244 at the respective opposite first and secondends (or bottom and top) of the adapter 200. By way of example only, thefirst and second openings 240, 244 may respectively have diameters ofabout 3.10 inches and about 2.62 inches as shown in FIG. 16.

FIGS. 17, 18, and 19 are respective bottom, top, and side views of theadapter 200. FIG. 20 is cross-sectional side view of the adapter 200shown in FIG. 19. The dimensions in inches in FIG. 20 are provided forpurpose of illustration only as final product dimensions may vary due toproduction materials and/or the manufacturing process used.

FIGS. 21 through 31 show a “12-ounce slim” can adapter 300 for use witha YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104 according to anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 22 shows a “12-ounce slim” can 308 positionedwithin the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104 before theLoad-and-Lock® gasket 112 and the can adapter 300 have been added.

FIG. 23 shows the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112 positioned overtop and onthe can 308 before the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112 has been threaded ontothe threaded portion 116 along the top of the YETI® Colster® stainlesssteel drink holder 104. In FIG. 24, the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112 hasbeen threaded onto and locked into place on top of the YETI® Colster®stainless steel drink holder 104.

FIG. 25 shows the adapter 300 positioned overtop and on the can 308. Inthis position, the adapter 300 is loosely fit overtop the upper portionof the can 308. FIG. 26 shows the adapter 300 after it has been pusheddownwardly onto (e.g., press fit over, etc.) the upper portion of thecan 308 and the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104. In thisposition, the adapter 300 may be held in place via friction from a pressfit, friction fit, or interference fit created between the adapter 300and the upper portion of the can 308 and/or between the adapter 300 andthe Load-and-Lock® gasket 112. Advantageously, the adapter 300 may beadded to or retrofit onto (e.g., via a push on press fit, etc.) theYETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104 and other drink holderswithout requiring any modifications to the pre-existing drink holder.

As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the adapter 300 includes an inner ridge,shoulder, step, or stepped down portion 324 that extendscircumferentially along an inner surface of the adapter 300. The adapter300 includes a single sidewall that integrally defines or has a first orlower sidewall portion 328 and a second or upper sidewall portion 332.The adapter 300 may have a stepped circular cross-sectional profile thatincludes or is defined by the first and second sidewall portions 328,332. More specifically, the second sidewall portion 332 may have acircular cross-sectional profile with an inner diameter (e.g., about76.2 mm as shown in FIG. 31, etc.) less than an inner diameter (e.g.,about 69.86 mm, etc.) of a circular cross-sectional profile of the firstsidewall portion 328. The step 324 may thus be defined generally betweenor at the intersection of the first and second sidewall portions 328,332. The step 324 has a width (e.g., about 3.17 mm, etc.) defined byone-half of the difference between the different inner diameters of thefirst and second sidewall portions 328 and 332.

The first sidewall portion 328 with the larger diameter is configured tofit snugly over the Load-and-Lock® gasket 112. The second sidewallportion 332 with the smaller diameter is configured to fit snugly overthe upper portion of the can 308. This may help hold the can 308stationary within the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104,which, in turn, may reduce or prevent the can 308 from rattling ormoving within the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104.

The step 324 is operable as a stop to inhibit continued downwardmovement of the adapter 300 when the step 324 contacts the top of theLoad-and-Lock® gasket 112. The adapter 300 includes first and second (orbottom and top) larger and smaller openings 340, 344 at the respectiveopposite first and second ends (or bottom and top) of the adapter 300.By way of example only, the first and second openings 340, 344 mayrespectively have diameters of about 76.2 mm and about 57.2 mm as shownin FIG. 27.

FIGS. 28, 29, and 30 are respective bottom, top, and side views of theadapter 300. FIG. 31 is cross-sectional side view of the adapter 300shown in FIG. 30. The dimensions in inches are provided in FIG. 31 forpurpose of illustration only as final product dimensions may vary due toproduction materials and/or the manufacturing process used.

FIG. 32 show the bottle adapter 100 (FIGS. 1 through 11), the “16-ouncetallboy” can adapter 200 (FIGS. 12 through 20), and the “12-ounce slim”can adapter 300 (FIGS. 21 through 31). In exemplary embodiments, allthree adapters 100, 200, 300 may be provided as a kit, an assembly, in asingle package, etc.

FIG. 33 shows a comparison of how much more of the exterior surfaces ofthe bottle 108, the 16-ounce tallboy” can 208, and the “12-ounce slim”can 308 are exposed to the environment or atmosphere as compared to astandard 12-ounce can 408. With so much more exterior surface areaprotruding outwardly beyond the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drinkholder 104, the beverages within the bottle 108, the 16-ounce tallboy”can 208, and the “12-ounce slim” can 308 will warm much quicker byconduction and heat radiation than the beverage within the standard12-ounce can 408, such as when in sunlight, a drinker's hand, warm air,etc.

By way of background, a standard sized 12-ounce can is about 5 inchestall and about 2.5 inches in diameter at the widest point of the body. Astandard sized 12-ounce longneck bottle is about 9 inches tall and about2.4 inches in diameter at the widest point of the body. A 16-ouncetallboy can is about 6.2 inches tall and about 2.6 inches in diameter atthe widest point of the body. A 12-ounce slim can is about 6 inches talland about 2.25 inches in diameter at the widest point of the body.

Also by way of background, the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drinkholder is sized for 12-ounce standard cans. Dimensionally, the YETI®Colster® stainless steel drink holder has an outer diameter of 3⅛inches. The total height is 4⅞ inches from the top of the standard12-ounce can to the bottom of YETI® Colster® stainless steel drinkholder when the 12-ounce can is fully inserted into the YETI® Colster®stainless steel drink holder as shown in FIG. 33.

Although the figures show the bottle adapter 100 and can adapters 200,300 being used with the YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder 104,the exemplary adapters disclosed herein should not be limited to usewith only YETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holders. The exemplaryadapters disclosed herein may be used with other beverage containerthermal insulators or drink holders (e.g., koozies, can coolers,huggers, huggies, etc.) made from stainless steel or other materials.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that maybe achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure are provided for purpose of illustration only and do notlimit the scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentionedadvantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapesdisclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values andparticular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive ofother values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more ofthe examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any twoparticular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define theendpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the givenparameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value fora given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any valuebetween the first and second values could also be employed for the givenparameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to havevalue A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned thatparameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z.Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges ofvalues for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping ordistinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value thatmight be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example,if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may haveother ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1 - 2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3,3-10, and 3-9.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculationor the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (withsome approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonablyclose to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecisionprovided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with thisordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at leastvariations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or usingsuch parameters. For example, the terms “generally,” “about,” and“substantially,” may be used herein to mean within manufacturingtolerances. Whether or not modified by the term “about,” the claimsinclude equivalents to the quantities.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section without departing from the teachings of the exampleembodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended orstated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally notlimited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, areinterchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if notspecifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in manyways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from thedisclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter for adapting a 12-ounce can thermalinsulator for use with a beverage container having a height greater thana standard 12-ounce can, the adapter comprising a thermally-insulativematerial including: a lower sidewall portion configured to be press fitover an upper portion of the 12-ounce can thermal insulator such that aninterference fit is created between the lower sidewall portion and theupper portion of the 12-ounce can thermal insulator; and an uppersidewall portion configured for covering and thermally insulating anupper exposed portion of the beverage container that extends outwardlyabove the 12-ounce can thermal insulator when the beverage container ispositioned within the 12-ounce can thermal insulator.
 2. The adapter ofclaim 1, further comprising a stop extending circumferentially along aninner surface of the adapter generally between the upper and lowersidewall portions, whereby the stop is operable to inhibit continueddownward movement of the adapter onto the 12-ounce can thermal insulatorwhen the stop contacts a corresponding portion of the 12-ounce canthermal insulator.
 3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein: the adapter has astepped circular cross-sectional profile defined by the upper and lowersidewall portions; and the upper sidewall portion has a circularcross-sectional profile with an inner diameter less than an innerdiameter of a circular cross-sectional profile of the lower sidewallportion such that a step is defined circumferentially along an innersurface of the adapter generally between or at the intersection of theupper and lower sidewall portions.
 4. The adapter of claim 3, whereinthe adapter consists of a single sidewall made of thethermally-insulative material that integrally includes the uppersidewall portion, the lower sidewall portion, and the step, such thatthe adapter has a single-piece monolithic construction.
 5. The adapterof claim 2, wherein the adapter consists of a single sidewall made ofthe thermally-insulative material that integrally includes the uppersidewall portion, the lower sidewall portion, and the stop, such thatthe adapter has a single-piece monolithic construction.
 6. The adapterof claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to be retained to the12-ounce can thermal insulator via friction created by the interferencefit such that the adapter is retrofittable onto the 12-ounce can thermalinsulator without requiring any modifications to the 12-ounce canthermal insulator.
 7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapterconsists of a single sidewall made of the thermally-insulative materialthat integrally includes the upper sidewall portion and the lowersidewall portion such that the adapter has a single-piece monolithicconstruction.
 8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein thethermally-insulative material comprises one or more of a silicone, anethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, a polychloroprene rubber, ablend of chlorinated polyethylene and ethylene propylene diene monomerrubber, a thermoplastic rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, athermoplastic vulcanizate, an ethylene-vinyl acetate, an injectionmoldable material, and/or a 3D printable or additive manufacturingmaterial.
 9. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter consists of aninjection molded or 3D printed sidewall that integrally includes theupper sidewall portion and the lower sidewall portion such that theadapter has a single-piece monolithic construction.
 10. The adapter ofclaim 1, wherein: the adapter is configured for adapting the 12-ouncecan thermal insulator for use with a longneck bottle having a standard12-ounce size that is about 9 inches tall and about 2.4 inches indiameter at a widest point of a body of the longneck bottle; and theupper sidewall portion is configured for covering and thermallyinsulating at least a neck of the longneck bottle that extends outwardlyabove the 12-ounce can thermal insulator when the longneck bottle ispositioned within the 12-ounce can thermal insulator.
 11. The adapter ofclaim 1, wherein: the adapter is configured for adapting the 12-ouncecan thermal insulator for use with a 16-ounce tallboy can that is about6.2 inches tall and about 2.6 inches in diameter at a widest point of abody of the 16-ounce tallboy can; and the upper sidewall portion isconfigured for covering and thermally insulating an upper exposedportion of the 16-ounce tallboy can that extends outwardly above the12-ounce can thermal insulator when the 16-ounce tallboy can ispositioned within the 12-ounce can thermal insulator.
 12. The adapter ofclaim 1, wherein: the adapter is configured for adapting the 12-ouncecan thermal insulator for use with a 12-ounce slim can that is about 6inches tall and about 2.25 inches in diameter at a widest point of abody of the 12-ounce slim can; and the upper sidewall portion isconfigured for overing and thermally insulating an upper exposed portionof the 12-ounce slim can that extends outwardly above the 12-ounce canthermal insulator when the 12-ounce slim can is positioned within the12-ounce can thermal insulator.
 13. The adapter of claim 1, wherein thelower sidewall portion is configured to be press fit over a gasketthreaded onto an upper threaded portion of the 12-ounce can thermalinsulator such that the interference fit is created between an innersurface of the lower sidewall portion and an outer surface of thegasket.
 14. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the lower sidewall portionis configured to be press fit over the upper portion of the 12-ounce canthermal insulator when a gasket is not present on the 12-ounce canthermal insulator.
 15. A kit comprising a plurality of adapters of claim1, wherein the plurality of adapters comprise: a first adapterconfigured for adapting the 12-ounce can thermal insulator for use witha longneck bottle having a standard 12-ounce size that is about 9 inchestall and about 2.4 inches in diameter at a widest point of a body of thelongneck bottle; the upper a second adapter configured for adapting the12-ounce can thermal insulator for use with a 16-ounce tallboy can thatis about 6.2 inches tall and about 2.6 inches in diameter at a widestpoint of a body of the 16-ounce tallboy can; and a third adapterconfigured for adapting the 12-ounce can thermal insulator for use witha 12-ounce slim can that is about 6 inches tall and about 2.25 inches indiameter at a widest point of a body of the 12-ounce slim can.
 16. Thekit of claim 15, wherein: each of the lower sidewall portions of thefirst and third adapters is configured to be press fit over a gasketthreaded onto the upper portion of the 12-ounce can thermal insulatorsuch that the interference fit is created between an inner surface ofthe lower sidewall portion and an outer surface of the gasket; and thelower sidewall portion of the second adapter is configured to be pressfit over the upper portion of the 12-ounce can thermal insulator whenthe gasket is not present on the 12-ounce can thermal insulator.
 17. Theadapter of claim 1, wherein: the adapter is configured for use with aYETI® Colster® stainless steel drink holder; and/or the adapter isconfigured for use with a 12-ounce can thermal insulator having an outerdiameter of about 3⅛ inches and a height within a range from about 4½inches to about 4⅞ inches.
 18. A method of using a 12-ounce can thermalinsulator with a beverage container having a height greater than astandard 12-ounce can, the method comprising positioning an adapter overan upper exposed portion of the beverage container that is protrudingoutwardly above the 12-ounce can thermal insulator such that: a lowersidewall portion of the adapter creates an interference fit with anupper portion of the 12-ounce can thermal insulator; and an uppersidewall portion of the adapter covers and thermally insulates the upperexposed portion of the beverage container; wherein the upper and lowersidewall portions comprise a thermally-insulative material.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising: positioning the beveragecontainer in the 12-ounce can thermal insulator; positioning a gasketover the upper exposed portion of the beverage container; and threadedlyengaging the gasket with an upper threaded portion of the 12-ounce canthermal insulator; wherein positioning the adapter includes pressfitting the lower sidewall portion over the gasket that is threaded ontothe upper threaded portion of the 12-ounce can thermal insulator suchthat the interference fit is created between an inner surface of thelower sidewall portion and an outer surface of the gasket.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein positioning the adapter includes pressfitting the lower sidewall portion over the upper portion of the12-ounce can thermal insulator when a gasket is not present on the upperportion of the 12-ounce can thermal insulator.